Choosing a favorite among the excellent Rochester-area chocolatiers is unthinkable. Crafted by third- and fourth-generation descendants, many chocolates are still made using traditional family recipes with modern twists.
Day Trips Around Rochester, New York
Descriptions are from each chocolatier’s website.
City of Rochester
Hedonist Artisan Chocolates
Rochester’s South Wedge Neighborhood, est. 2007
from their website:
Hedonist /he-don-ist/ a person who believes that pursuing pleasure is the most essential thing in life; a pleasure-seeker.
In 2007, Hedonist Artisan Chocolates was born in Rochester, New York. Founder Jennifer Posey believed that hand-crafting small-batch confections using old-world techniques, carefully sourced ingredients, and refined packaging would create an obsession for artisan chocolates in Rochester and New York State.
They also have a selection of vegan and dairy-free options.
Laughing Gull Chocolates
Rochester’s Winton Village neighborhood, est. 2015
from their website:
Laughing Gull Chocolates was conceived out of a long-standing love affair with chocolate, a fascination with its story, and a desire to use chocolate as a vehicle for social change.
After spending years delving into the history of cacao, founder Lindsay Tarnoff discovered that her love of making chocolate was as powerful as her resolve to use her favorite food to change the world.
In addition to public and private chocolate-making classes, they offer chocolate tastings (including some rare chocolates), hot chocolate flights, espresso, tea, and other drinks, and Cheese Plates with local cheeses. They also have vegan and dairy-free options.
Stever’s Candy
Rochester’s Park Ave Neighborhood, est. 1946
from their website:
Current chocolatiers are 3rd generation descendants of the original owner.
The Stever’s have been making delicious confections for over half a century. Douglas Stever learned the art of candy making near Philadelphia after his service in World War II. In 1946, he and his wife Hilda opened their first small shop in Rochester at S. Goodman & Benton Streets.
Monroe County
AFFAIRE de CHOCOLAT
Fairport, est. 2001
from their website:
AFFAIRE de CHOCOLAT was established in 2001 in Perinton, NY.
Our truffles and chocolates are handmade right at our store in Fairport. We have a large selection of different Chocolate Barks. We have both traditional and non-traditional flavors. We manufacture Roc City Chocolates.
Andy’s Candies
Irondequoit, est. 1917
from their website:
Current chocolatiers are 4th generation descendants of the original owner. Andy’s Candies Homemade Chocolates has been family-owned and operated in Rochester, NY, since 1917. Andrew Sykut was a welder by day and a candy maker by night when he founded the business.
Their factory is on Hudson Ave. (not open for tours), with several suburban retail locations operational for decades; the oldest is a seasonal shop in Perinton that opened 40+ years ago.
Encore Chocolates
Irondequoit, est. 1987
from their website:
Founded in 1987, Encore Chocolates, Inc. has always been known for its imaginative and innovative chocolate gifts and creations. We strive to satiate your sweet needs for holidays, special events, gifts, and everyday indulgences.
Greater Rochester
Original Candy Kitchen
Williamson, est. 1890
from their website:
The Original Candy Kitchen has been an institution in Williamson since its origin in 1890. Originally an ice cream parlor, the business has slowly evolved over four generations into a family restaurant/candy store.
Sweet Expressions
Canandaigua, est. 1997
from their website:
Located in the heart of Historic Downtown Canandaigua, Sweet Expressions has been providing custom-created chocolates and gifts since 1997.
Western New York
Alethea’s Chocolates
Williamsville, est. 1967
from their website:
Alethea’s has a long history in the confectionary business, starting with the owner’s great-grandmother, Alethea, who made confections in her hometown of Kozani, Greece.
In 1979, the family consolidated their store and factory into a historic Williamsville estate location, building their chocolate factory adjacent to the original estate home.
After extensive rehabilitation, this original building became the Chocolate Shop and Ice Cream Parlor, now nicely situated in a beautiful park-like setting.
Antoinette’s Sweets
Depew, est. 1915
from their website:
From Antoinette’s Sweets’ origins on the East Side of Buffalo to the current location on Transit Road in Depew since 1958, a fourth family generation continues the traditions of homemade confectionery creations.
Fowler’s Chocolates
Factory in Buffalo plus five retail locations, est. 1910
from their website:
Fowler’s Chocolates is the original maker of sponge candy. Factory tours—complete with Golden Ticket—every Columbus Day weekend, offering self-guided tours and a behind-the-scenes glimpse of how it’s made.
Landies Candies
Buffalo, est. 1985
from their website:
Landies Candies is a chocolate manufacturer of private-label chocolates and our line of sweet treats, including our unique and delicious stuffed pretzels!
Landies also makes Wegmans Brand Sponge Candy.
Landies award-winning chocolate starts with a 130-year-old Swiss recipe using only the finest cocoa beans available worldwide and harmoniously blending in natural whole milk and choice ingredients, such as fresh locally roasted nuts, to create a delightful symphony of satisfaction.
Oliver’s Candies
Batavia, est. 1932
from their website:
Oliver’s Candies was established in 1932 by Joseph Boyd Oliver. Oliver’s uses original, family-proven recipes with the best ingredients, including real butter, cream, honey, and other natural products.
Platter’s Chocolates
North Tonawanda, est. 1938
from their website:
In 1938, Carl Platter decided to do what friends and family said he did best: make chocolate. Not just any chocolate, however, but the chocolate North Tonawanda has come to know and love—Orange Chocolate. Carl then started Platter’s Chocolate part-time in his basement.
Platter’s also has a cafe with an ice cream shop and offers chocolate factory tours!
Sweet Jenny’s
Williamsville, est. 1985
from their website:
Sweet Jenny’s small batches of ice cream and chocolates are created in the same building as their retail shop inside the 1811 Williamsville Mill. You get the freshest product possible, often out for sale the day it is made.
Wahl’s Candies
Cheektawaga, est. 1938
from their website:
Milton C. “Bud” Wahl’s family began making and selling chocolates from their home in 1938, opening a soda fountain and chocolate shop after WWII. Wahl’s Candies is now owned by Fowler’s, who plans to honor the original recipes.
Watson’s Chocolates
Tonawanda, est. 1946
from their website:
Watson’s chocolate factory is in Tonawanda, with several retail locations in Buffalo, plus one in Victor. Established in 1946, current chocolatiers are 3rd generation descendants.
In 1946, two brothers, Louis and John Watson, and their respective wives, Ellen and Mary, began making chocolates in the back room of their soda fountain and luncheonette on Delaware Avenue in Kenmore, NY.
Family recipes, including our Famous Sponge Candy, are still made by hand and in small batches. Our candy makers and chocolatier are our extended family, and we take pride in using only the highest quality ingredients, including Fair Trade Certified chocolate.
Central New York
Hercules Candies
East Syracuse, est. 1905
from their website:
Current chocolatiers are 3rd generation descendants of the original owner.
In 1905, my grandfather, Robert, and his 2 brothers, Jim and Pete, arrived in America from Greece through a port in Boston, MA. They went to Fulton, NY, where they learned the art of candy making.
We make candy the way it was made in the early 1900s – all by hand without any machines. We roast our own nuts on the premises and purchase our ingredients directly from the source from which they originate – not through a middleman so that the freshness and quality of our candy speak for themselves.
The Speach Family Candy Shoppe
Syracuse, est. 1920
from their website:
Current chocolatiers are 4th generation descendants of the original owner.
Originally founded by Michael Speach (Michele Spicciati) an immigrant from Italy, The Speach Family Candy Shoppe has been passed down through the generations to Michael’s great-grandson who also happens to be named Michael.
With the help of family and friends, the Speach Family Candy Shoppe has grown and developed new products and gorgeous packaging the customers have come to expect and appreciate.
Sweet on Chocolate
I’ll be adding more about Sweet on Chocolate Syracuse soon!
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Who are your favorite Rochester-Area chocolatiers?
Your insights and experiences are valuable. Please share them in the comments.
People often ask me if I get free access to places while exploring. The answer is no unless I’m invited to previews or granted behind-the-scenes access as part of my media role. Generally, I don’t mention my project, Day Trips Around Rochester, NY, because I want the same experience you would have. I create and share content simply because it brings me joy. I would appreciate your support—a cup of coffee or two to help fuel future field trips—if you have found valuable information here that has helped you explore the Rochester area.
Sweet Jenny’s at the Mill (and formerly Oh Pour L’amour du Chocolat) in Williamsville is our go-to place for chocolate *and* ice cream. Worth the ride!
Encore Chocolate..my favorite for over 20 years .
They are fantastic, Sue!!